At first I thought the guys in the left panel of the first ad were hugging. Overweight girls turn boys gay. But they are really just whispering to each other. "Look at the way she sucks on that cookie. Do you think she...? I bet she does. But not as good as you, Rod."

This gem from the comments: Look British women are fat lazy lump's who have forgotten that their role in life is to look after a man. Who wants a big fat lump looking after them I don't. Women get your act together and you will be the happier for it.

You know people, not EVERY ad targeting a demographic is "sexist". So the woman uses shampoo, big farking deal, there are quite a few shampoos directed solely at a single gender, so not targeting your demographic would be utterly stupid.

The cigarette one is the same way. It's not sexist. Jesus.

I don't even know why they added the Head and Shoulders one, it's less "sexist" than any other one on the the list. They've been targeting both sexes for years, IN INDEPENDENT CAMPAIGNS.

The other stuff is pretty sexist, but it's also fitting for its time. And Jesus, THOSE, are "chubby" girls? Like someone said upthread, the Life Savers girl looks like you could snap her like kindling...

That first one confused the hell out of me for a second because I wasn't sure what was supposed to be wrong about a reasonably-sized girl who had a farking box of cookies. Compared to the pompous-looking, lifesaver-tossing, pencil-thin girl on the right, I'd take cookie-girl any day.

GiantRex:That first one confused the hell out of me for a second because I wasn't sure what was supposed to be wrong about a reasonably-sized girl who had a farking box of cookies. Compared to the pompous-looking, lifesaver-tossing, pencil-thin girl on the right, I'd take cookie-girl any day.

Cookie girl is still hot, and those boys in the background have already ruined her self esteem. She is ripe for the taking!!

GiantRex:That first one confused the hell out of me for a second because I wasn't sure what was supposed to be wrong about a reasonably-sized girl who had a farking box of cookies. Compared to the pompous-looking, lifesaver-tossing, pencil-thin girl on the right, I'd take cookie-girl any day.

Also notice that the skinny girl is dressed much more fashionably and looks not unlike Audrey Hepburn. The cookie girl is still wearing saddle shoes and socks. You wanna be thin, mature and sophisticated, doncha, honey? Have some LifeSavers. The candy with the - ahem - HOLE in it.

dmax:Mija: Listen to today's music, particularly rap, if you want to hear sexism. It is alarming how much more respect women use to be shown compared with today.

That's the retort from religious groups who insist that their women, covered from head to foot, are more revered than those of other religions. Of course, the answer's somewhere in between.

And, truly, look at how our culture treats women. Is it respectful?

We're getting there. Respect comes out in different ways. I want to be not afraid to go out into a carpark at 2am, but at the same time that means when I say something in a board meeting that's stupid I want to be argued with and not kow-towed to or dismissed, and if I lose my damn mind and punch some guy I want to... Well okay I don't WANT to be punched back, but it's all part of the same package, I think.

mbillips:Alas, the chubby girls are what skinny looks like today. We're all a bunch of lardasses compared to when I was a kid (when these ads were made).

In my classes some play a game. When I'm screening a 1950's or '60's documentary that features street scenes, they look for a large person.Even as late as 1979-83. Pretty rare then.Aspartame + corn sweetner is the change agent here.

Marcintosh:mbillips: Alas, the chubby girls are what skinny looks like today. We're all a bunch of lardasses compared to when I was a kid (when these ads were made).

In my classes some play a game. When I'm screening a 1950's or '60's documentary that features street scenes, they look for a large person.Even as late as 1979-83. Pretty rare then.Aspartame + corn sweetner McDonald's is the change agent here.

stonicus:GiantRex: That first one confused the hell out of me for a second because I wasn't sure what was supposed to be wrong about a reasonably-sized girl who had a farking box of cookies. Compared to the pompous-looking, lifesaver-tossing, pencil-thin girl on the right, I'd take cookie-girl any day.

Cookie girl is still hot, and those boys in the background have already ruined her self esteem. She is ripe for the taking!!

AbbeySomeone:I remember people smoking in hospitals and doctors offices..

And grocery stores. When I was little, I used to hang onto the front of the shopping cart at the grocery store. Invariably, we'd hit someone's discarded cigarette butt and the cart would come to a screeching halt and I'd almost get thrown off.